Winning a new pickup is nice, but ...

By RON LARSEN

Journal Staff Writer

NEW ULM -- A funny thing happened when Gordon Lund of New Ulm went shopping for a used car for his son last Thursday in Mankato. He won a new Chevrolet Silverado pickup.

Winning a new vehicle would be pretty exciting news for most people, but the 75-year-old Lund isn't getting too worked up about it.

"Well, in my age bracket, you don't jump too much. I've been used to a lot of funny things, though," he said.

While "kicking tires" at Clements Auto, Lund was checking out a Chevrolet Trailblazer when a salesman gave him an OnStar demonstration. The salesman pushed a button, and soon Lund was answering questions from the satellite system.

A few minutes later he learned he had won a new General Motors vehicle, one of 1,000 being given away during General Motors' "Hot Button" promotion.

"It was a nice surprise, but I wish it was something I could use a little better. I'm retired; I ain't got no use for a pickup," Lund said.

So, he'll probably sell it, but he's not expecting to get much for it.

"They say it's kind of a plain Jane so that ain't too attractive to people. They call it a work truck. Everybody wants all the goodies, and it's just a regular cab, no extended cab or nothing. No four-wheel drive," Lund said.

He has to wait for some documents to be sent to him before he can claim his new truck. His son will get his 1990 Buick LeSabre.

"That's what his plans are, anyway," Lund said.

Still, he's concerned that the Silverado isn't going to be much of a truck.

"Probably don't even have a radio. I'll have to sing to myself."